Ecology

Special Abilities

Beast of Burden Though a Medium-sized creature, a Mythos ghast's strength and bulk allow it to serve as a mount for a Medium-sized or smaller rider.

Susceptible to Sunlight (Ex) A Mythos ghast is sickened when it is exposed to sunlight, taking 1 point of Constitution damage after every hour it remains exposed to sunlight.

Undeath Affinity (Ex) Mythos ghasts are not themselves undead, but they have a strong affinity to undeath, perhaps as a result of countless generations spent feasting on necromantic leavings. Mindless undead like skeletons and zombies do not perceive Mythos ghasts as living and do not attack them unless directed to do so or in self-defense. They are harmed by positive energy and healed by negative energy as if they were undead.

The Mythos ghast is an underground-dweller and a scavenger and eater of the dead. They may share an ancestor with humanity, but they are significantly larger than humans, with overgrown hooved hind legs and clawed hands. They are tailless and their warped faces bear some resemblance to those of humans, though they have neither noses nor much forehead to speak of, and their mouths are filled with grinding, cutting teeth. They can walk upright but prefer to move on all fours until they attack. The typical Mythos ghast is the size of a small horse: about 600 pounds, and stands just shy of 8 feet tall.

Mythos ghasts are omnivores, but the lack of plants underground means that most are functionally carnivorous. They possess limited intelligence — enough to work together like baboons or wolves, mostly to take down a prey creature. They are smart enough to make and use rudimentary tools when necessary and even excavate crude homes and villages in which to dwell.

Their greatest weakness is their vulnerability to light. While Mythos ghasts can survive in dim light for many hours, eventually they need to return to pitch blackness and recover. Full sunlight will kill them if they are exposed for a prolonged period.

Mythos ghasts can be tamed and numerous underground races have done so, keeping the disgusting beasts for their own uses. While vile and aggressive, they are not innately evil (simply loathsome) and can be trained to serve as mounts or war animals, much like griffons.